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Like Hinduism, there are many other Eastern Religions that worship more than one god. However, it is believed by many that Hinduism has the most gods that are worshiped. There are over 300 million Hindu Gods, but many Hindus view Hinduism as monotheistic with only one supreme being and the other gods are just facets of this one God. Basically, Hinduism can be classified as pantheism with polytheistic elements (“Hindu Gods And Goddesses”, 2013). Even though there are so many gods, modern Hindus generally divide into followers mainly of Vishnu, Shiva, or Shasta.
Britannica says, “Nearly all Hindus look upon one of these as an expression of the ultimate being, the one in charge of the destiny of the universe” “Hinduism”, 2013). According to Leave (2004) in almost all Eastern religions the Divine is immanent in creation (not separate), and there are no words for the divine. Hindus believe that God creates all souls. The Pinheads say that each soul comes from God as a spark from a fire, which starts the spiritual journey that will eventually lead back to God (“Hinduism And Modern fife”, 2012).
Hindus also greet each other with “mascara” which worships the God within the person they are saying it to. In Hinduism, part of the Four Noble Pursuits, the fourth noble pursuit is liberation when all karma is solved, dharma has been fulfilled and God has been realized (“Hinduism And Modern Life”, 2012). “Religion in modern India has been formed not only by Indian’s own rich heritage but also by colonialism, nationalism, and wider forces of modernity and globalization.
The term, “Hinduism,” was not used until the nineteenth century, and Hindu identity – developed partly as a response to colonization ?? became associated with Indian nationalism. Although modern India is a secular democracy with multiple religious, political, and ethnic viewpoints, there is some sense of unified Hindu identity (Religions, peg. 48). ” Currently Hinduism is stretched as far as this planet is wide. India being the most highly Hindu populated country, there is an estimated 850 million seekers, seers, followers, and so on. Hinduism spreads from India to as far as North America.
The “Maps of World” (2012) website provided a data sheet created by the World Christian Database which points out North America alone has approximately more than 1. 3 million Hindu followers. According to the “Malaysia Hindustan Mandrake” (2008): Hinduism is the third biggest religion in the world with nearly 900 million adherents, with only Christianity and Islam claiming to have more followers. The CIA World Fastback places the percentage of Hindus in the world at 13. 261 out of the total world population of 6,677,563,921 (July 2008 est.. . The Foreign policy magazine, published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, claims there were about 870 million Hindus around the world as of May 2007, and growing at about 1. 52 percent annually. This would also agree with the figure of 885 million as of July 2008. Meanwhile, World Christian Trends says Hinduism grew at 1. 69 percent annually around the world between 1 990 and 2000. In the same time period, total world population grew at around . 41 percent, meaning Hinduism is growing faster than the world population.
This growth is attributed mainly to high birth rates in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is a peaceful and thoughtful religion. In this society this is exactly what this world needs. We are now living in a society that constantly changes from one style to the next and is bent on bullying one another for the sake Of entertainment or position. The current state of young minds are being cultivated by value-less entertainment that prevents the adherence of even the most common core values. There are 9,000 reasons our societies should e more in tune with what this religion has to offer.
Hinduism has remained a status of high regard for an extremely long time. Some archaeologists have found bone and pottery near a sunken city off the Northwestern coast of India, in the Gulf of Chamber. Carbon dating has placed artifacts older than 9,000 years old. This kind of long standing relationship between human and religion is a huge testimony to the transformation Hinduism is naturally accustomed to. Not only that but, V (2010) said, ” Hinduism is perhaps the only religion in the world that survived over 700 years of Islamic oppression and 400 years of Christian propaganda. Strengths). Hinduism is not opposed to scientific exploration or the technological advances Of discovering truth, so long as such an activity is not an end by Itself. Another important strength in Hinduism acknowledges how unstable humans are and how much an extensive knowledge base there is to help us understand how spiritually and philosophically we can overcome everyday challenges within our lives. To survive as a world renowned religion, a religion which is organic and evolves in all directions, there should be some type of proper regulation.
However, this will not be possible considering Hinduism would tantamount to mom form of intolerance. Unlike Catholicism where there is only one way to believe and the truth is the truth so help you God. Hinduism has been at the helm of a diverse awry of scriptures and teachings of countless gurus. In this current day and age many teachings are not well versed in the scriptures, traditions, and practices and what Hindu followers should actually do. The Vivid tradition acknowledges the caste system which is not purposeful in this era.
Birth based caste system promotes contention between peer groups and can follow into the community. Discontent can eventually lead to divide, which is counteractive to the religions strength for unity. Over the years I can’t help but to wonder if Hinduism holds the same affinity for tradition as it did 10 centuries ago. Without its many upholders of Dharma, especially from institutions of family, spiritual teachers, or gurus; how does a religion this large control or manage the models of problem solving without diluting it with fly-by-night gurus or characters practicing some irrelevant form of yoga for money?
It can start by placing more responsibility within the relationship between mind, body, and soul. Be proactive learn and teach the sets which represent traits, values, and ethical monologue achieved in life from past to present. Much like in America, there are many threats toward a way of life. There are secularists who take issue with a more traditional or orthodox practices of Hinduism, much like bullying and stereotyping in the West. The Indian Government is also a significant threat; jeopardizing the future. According to “The Threat Against Hindu Temples And Vivid Culture In India” (n. . ), “Through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act (HERE Act) of 1951, state governments have appointed managers to the boards of temples n the name of better administration, while mosques and churches are completely autonomous. This Act allowed the state governments and politicians to take over thousands of Hindu temples and maintain complete control over these temples and their property. Many abuses are committed by multiple state governments using the power accorded through this Act Then they can sell the temple assets and properties and use the money in any way they choose.
Often the temple and the devotees who patronize them do not see any of the money, nor does it come back to assist the Hindu community to which the temple belongs. Some of this money is that which is directly donated by the pilgrims and devotees who attend the temple, given for the temple upkeep, or for the priests and deities. However, some Of the money is disbursed by the government for ulterior causes or to other non- profit organizations based on political connections. ” (The Threat Against Hindu Temples and Vivid Culture in India. It seems there are some similar problems in Hinduism as there is in Christianity; plenty of places to worship, but as followers we are still not engaged like we should be. The influence of misinterpretation or miscommunication is much greater this day and age cause more people have more to say and have the ability to be heard on many different levels from a variety of outlets. The suspecting problem to this is mostly ignorance or arrogance to some degree, which is viral and cancerous. The same can be said for Hinduism equally.
The scriptures like the Veda’ or the Pinheads need to be continuously visited and learned then taught to the up-and-coming youth. This can prove to be more difficult especially if elders adhere to the birth based caste system still used to this day. Hindu leaders should also think of transforming completely to a stateless society. Possibly even go as far as treating women and men equally, as the adherent’s in Savvies and Christianity do. Hinduism has come a long way from its humble beginning in India, and Increasingly continues positive influence around the world.
Although not without such powerful leadership and Strong advocates of this proud religion, could they have survived and overcome the tyranny of such violent oppressors. From an individual’s wise parents to the devoted monk at the temples around the world, collectively all Hindus have striver to ultimately reach what this religion has become today. Never more so has any Hindu became such a worldwide known advocate of the Hindu religion than Mohammad Gandhi . He was a very wise man who taught his people to love one another and fight back with nonviolence against the imperialist take over from Great Britain. Gandhi held that the call to arms is not about real war but rather a call to fight against dangerous moral and psychological forces, such as ignorance, selfishness, and anger. This interpretation, though it seems to go against the literal intent of the text, has been influential. ” (Molly & Hailers, 201 0) Influential to India as a whole, as it eloped their native people rise up and gain independence from Britain in a time when they needed a leader the most. Not just against the British, but also the constant religious battles between Muslims and Hindus.
In a country with so messed up moral values and beliefs, Gandhi was a savior to his people and gave his life to the vision of a better world. His followers practiced nonviolent marches, speeches, boycotts, and hunger strikes to raise awareness within the country of India. Although they had been jailed, beaten, and tortured for years, eventually prejudice faded away and people of all skin lore lived together for a better future. Fighting alongside Mohammad Gandhi was another influential leader named Charlatan. Just as Gandhi did, Charlatan also traveled to London England in his late teens to study and broaden his cultural horizons.
After school, he recalled during a train ride a conversation in where a British General was bragging and laughing to others about the Massacre of Imparts, which the British troops opened fire on a crowd of unarmed Indians for over 10 minutes killing 379 and wounded over 1 ,DO. This unspeakable act of genocide fueled the anger inside Charlatan ND soon after returning to India, immediately joined Mahatma Sandhog’s Indian National congress. During the next 45 years, he dedicated his life to a better Indian by spreading Hinduism across the nation and fighting oppression with nonviolence.
After being jailed countless times, influencing bans, and participating on many nonviolent marches, they were finally successfully in creating an independent India. However shortly after, Gandhi had died and taking his infinite wisdom took office and became Indian’s first prime minister, marking his spot in the history books as one of the most influential leaders in Hinduism. In conclusion, Hinduism has thrived for thousands of years, and with the present hurdles due to the ever so evolving and spreading cultures, traditions, beliefs and value systems in place.
There could be a decline in Hindu activity. Yet, I couldn’t imagine the secular leftist political activists embedding themselves so deep it would actually uproot that much history without a fight. Hindu leaders must gather upon the millions of adherents to serve publicly up and down the hierarchy and stand up to the bullying of Indian’s secular government. Once stated by Shoulder so perfectly n. D. ), “Human action has cosmic significance, according to the Baghdad Gait. Action is the force that sets the cosmic wheel in motion and keeps it going.